Machine modification project too expensive?

[Bl4ckSh33p]

Hi. I got the Ascension perk to reduce modification by 33% but modifying 400 pops still costs almost 40k research and takes 112 months.

Are these prices normal or should it be cheaper? Don't do this often or play machine usually.

 

[SedahDrol]

Looks about right. I generally will modify one planet at a time. That way I can still research in between modifications.